Oaklands Wolves secure Ryan to lead second WBBL season

After a first impressive year making their debut in the Women’s Basketball League (WBBL), Oaklands Wolves have confirmed Coach Lee Ryan will be leading the team into the next academic year.

Coach Ryan will take the reigns exclusively for the Academy’s WBBL side in 2017-18 after previously sharing the role as associate head coach with Kenrick Liburd in 2016-17.

Ryan brings in a wealth of international coaching experience, Coach Ryan worked with England for six successive European Championship campaigns from 2009 to 2015, which included the U18 Women's promotion to Division A during 2012.

Coach Ryan led the Wolves' previous exploits at senior women's level in the 2014-15 season, where he steered the organisation to a near perfect 21-1 record in Division 1. The side went on to win the National Trophy and appear in Championship Finals before making the transitions to the WBBL.

He said: "I am delighted to be back in the hot seat for Oaklands Wolves women. The WBBL is a fantastic league and gets stronger each year. The standards are driven by the quality of coaches and I look forward to going head to head with them next season.

"I am excited to build on last season; it was a challenge but a great experience for everyone. We will see improved results next season, we have high potential and with the core of the squad returning it's a good foundation to build on.

"We will be adding some exciting academy recruits shortly as well as announcing our senior signings. Our preparations started back in April, and now we want the season to begin!"

Oaklands Wolves Head of Basketball Michael Ball brought coach Ryan to the academy in 2011 as the Head of Performance. Together, over the past 6 years they have transformed the organisation from a college team, to one of the brightest basketball programs in the country.

Oaklands Wolves WBBL will be announcing new signings shortly. You can follow them via instagram or twitter @oaklandsball.